Northern Kentucky 63, Mercer 46

Jan 24, 2014, 09:26 pm

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Eshaunte Jones hit six 3-pointers and finished with 26 points to lead Northern Kentucky to a 63-46 victory over Mercer on Thursday night.

The senior guard put the Norse (5-11, 3-5 Atlantic Sun Conference) ahead to stay, 15-12, with a 3-pointer with 5:05 left in the first half and they led 26-18 at the break. Jones finished the half with 14 points.

The Bears (12-9, 5-3) made just 5 of 23 shots (21.7 percent) in the first half.

Mercer's Bud Thomas hit four 3-pointers in the second half for 12 of his 16 points to bring the Bears to within six, 49-43, with 4:05 remaining. Northern Kentucky then reeled off a 14-0 run to put the game out of reach.

Thomas took all eight of his shots in the game from behind the arc, making five, while the rest of the Bears shot 10 of 35 overall.